Ban on diesel vehicles should be based on scientific data:Secy

The heavy industries ministry today said any decision to ban diesel vehicles should be based on scientific data for which it has commissioned a study.
"As far as our policy is concerned, there is no inconsistency... What we are going for is source apportionment study. That will be the scientific data with which we can support whether diesel (vehicles) should be banned or not or whether it should be punished by some cess or not," Secretary Girish Shankar today said at a SIAM convention here.
He was clear that this will be the basis for the government's stand on the issue of diesel vehicle ban in courts, including the Supreme Court. He was responding to concerns expressed by the automobile industry that ban on diesel vehicle is holding up investments in the sector.

Pawan Goenka, Executive Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, had a poser for the secretary.
"As long back as I can remember, diesel has always been controversial. With recent incidents... Can we assume that the diesel debate is behind us and now we can move forward, work towards BS-VI (emission norms) and not have to worry about what PIL may come in tomorrow?" Goenka asked.
Shankar replied: "For the first time, all the ministries have come together and we have put forth one view of the government to the court. We have also said in the affidavit... that any decision of this sort should be based on a scientific study and we have already started a study."

The report of the study is expected to take some time and "hopefully by next year, data will be available which will be the scientific basis for taking any decision".

"To the large extent, the court is convinced... So, we hope that this uncertainty will not prevail any further," he added.
On the Automotive Mission Plan (2006-16), he said a number of targets have been achieved by the industry.
"We are already working on the next AMP (2016-26) and it is almost on the final stage," he said.
The Indian automotive sector is seen to grow 3.5 to 4 times in value terms, considering an average GDP growth of 5.8 per cent to 7.5 per cent.

(REOPENS DCM 119)
Speaking in a different session, Force Motors Chairman Abhay Firodia said most of the problems in the auto industry are out of unwillingness to have dialogue with the industry to the extent it is necessary.
Citing example of BS-VI emission norms, he said: "We have not even got the BS-IV fully, but suddenly the government asked you to go to BS-VI in 2020."
He added: "Now everybody is running around. This is a result of the mindset, where the government thinks it can dictate without really taking into consideration any conciliation and conversation. All the players are affected."

This is the mindset that needs to be overcome, he suggested.
Speaking at the event, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said the government is taking several steps to improve ease of doing business in the country.
"During the past few years, 1,053 laws have been scrapped. The government is making all efforts to ensure India emerges as an easy place to do business," he said, adding that the country must manufacture to export and not just for the domestic market.
Arun Tripathy, Advisor, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, suggested that the industry should give importance to alternative fuel systems, such as battery-driven vehicles, which should be charged by solar energy.

When asked about free trade agreement and auto exports, A K Bhalla, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, said that as for the country with which India is negotiating an FTA, the tariffs are already on the lower side, but they are demanding a cut.
To push brand India, he said the department has a plan to further promote manufacturing activities through IBEF.
"We are working on a campaign which will bring out India branding sectorally," he added.